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Mercury

Mercury is a toxic metal that is harmful to humans and the environment in very small quantities.

Mercury is found in common household products:

Lighting

Thermostats and thermometers

Pesticides

To eliminate the risk of pollution and accidental exposure, choose products without mercury and dispose of old products properly.

Mercury Pollution in Seafood

Exposure to mercury can cause a string of harmful health effects, including, birth defects, blindness, paralysis, neurological and muscular disorders. Both naturally-occurring mercury and mercury pollution are found in sediment and rivers, oceans and other water bodies. When mercury is in water, it can bio-accumulate in animals.

Bioaccumulation is the process by which mercury builds up in organisms like plankton, small fish, large fish and people over time, since these organisms absorb mercury faster then they eliminate it.

Biomagnification is the process by which mercury becomes more concentrated as it passes up the food chain. This exposes those higher on the food chain, like large fish and people, to more mercury than those lower on the food chain, like plankton and small fish. Both of these processes result in mercury in your fish and on your plate.

Learn more about which seafood is safe to eat.

Mercury in Products

Lighting

When possible, choose LED lighting because it does not contain mercury and is energy efficient. Fluorescent and high-intensity discharge bulbs contain small amounts of mercury but will not cause harm unless the lamp breaks.

If you choose to buy bulbs containing mercury, use the following criteria: